In order to play for five years, she had to stay in school, through which she earned three diplomas.

She first took a business diploma in marketing. After the two years, she decided to stay to play more volleyball.

During her third and fourth year on the team, Carpenter took her second diploma in management.

After that, she still wasn’t finished with volleyball.

For her final year, she decided to enroll in hospitality management, since it had business courses intertwined in it.

Carpenter was able to transfer some of her business classes over, lightening her course load for her final year.

“I didn’t want to take something that was a waste of my time,” she said.

So far, it hasn’t been a waste of time for Carpenter, who was not only able to spend the past season focused on volleyball, but has also been offered a job as a food and beverage manager at a golf course just outside of Calgary.

She credits her five years with the volleyball team and her coach for the growth and development that has made her the person she is today.

“In my first year, if I had known then what I know now, things would have been much different,” said Carpenter.

When joining the team at 18, all she wanted to do was play volleyball. She didn’t understand the time commitment and dedication it would take, on and off the court.

“I wasn’t at a mental capacity to handle it all,” she said.

With her grades slipping and some lack of playing time, Carpenter was frustrated.

Throughout her five years, she figured out what her coach wanted and needed from her. Now she has a much better relationship with him.

“He can tell me straight up what he wants and what he doesn’t want,” said Carpenter.

“I wish it was like that back then, but I understand why it wasn’t.”

Over the years her coach has told her when things were not okay, even when Carpenter thought they were.

“He has given me some ‘wake up, Sam moments,’” said Carpenter.

“I thank him for those moments, because now that’s exactly why I am the way I am right now.”